Page 35 of For Love & Torture

“That was something else,” I say as I wipe a tear from my eye. “Not at all the type of scene we’re used to here, but wow, to think that really happened. Oh, my.”

Bart’s hand moves over my knee as he leans in close to me. “I’ve been taunted that way. It was long ago, but it did happen. It’s a feeling I never want to have again.”

Although Grant is squeezing my hand, I have to ask, “What happened?” As I wait for his answer, I gently move Bart’s hand off my knee. “I’m off limits, sir,” I whisper.

With a sigh, Bart nods. “Too bad.” He looks around me at Grant. “Perhaps another time I’ll tell you my tale. It’s a bit woeful to talk about with so many people around. What do you say about seeing me back to your office—I seemed to have left my cell there when I took it out to retrieve my financial information. It’s getting late. I have to get back home before sunrise.”

“Of course,” I agree. Grant lets my hand go as Bart stands up and pulls my chair out.

Grant rises too. “I’ll go with you.”

Bart rolls his eyes as he takes the place on the other side of me, walking along with us. It makes me happy that Grant is worried about me being alone with the man. It just goes to prove he cares more for me than he admits, and I love every little nugget of reassurance I get from the elusive man.

After letting Bart get his cell, we walk him out and bid him a goodnight, Grant ever present at my side. “I’ll give you a call tomorrow to let you know what comes next if the financial background check comes back okay.”

“I look forward to hearing your voice, Isabel. And please, think about what I asked you. Maybe your bosses will make an exception to their rules for you if the price is right.” And with that, he gets into a waiting black limo and is gone.

That leaves me with Grant, who’s looking at me with a scowl on his face. “And just what did he ask you, Bell?”

Turning to go back inside, I hide the smile on my face. “Oh, he’d like to train on me is all. Maybe become his sub. I said no, of course.”

“Of course,” comes his soft words. His arm snakes around my waist, and he pulls me close to him as we walk down the empty hallway back to my office. “I don’t like the man, you should know that. Put Betty on his case. Leave his membership up to her.”

“I don’t know if he’ll be down with that, Grant.” I was sure Bart wouldn’t be okay with that.

“I don’t give a shit what the man is down with. I don’t want you to have to spend any more time with the guy. I can see right through him. He’s a dark man. And you already have one of those in your life. One’s enough. Don’t you think?”

With a nod, I have to agree with Grant. One dark man is enough. But I don’t exactly have Grant, do I?